Intelligent power system

ABSTRACT

An intelligent power system includes one or more common power sources and one or more subsystem components interconnected with the common power sources. Each common power source includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated by the controller. A subsystem component includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a power source, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated by the controller. With such a configuration, the system is able detect and isolate failed segments of the power system and is reconfigurable to restore power.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.60/423,640 filed Nov. 4, 2002, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to power systems and moreparticularly to a system which can detect and isolate failed segmentsand reconfigure the system to restore power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional power distribution systems typically include multiple powersources and storage elements and are known by those of reasonable skillin the art. Despite the relative simplicity and wide acceptance of thisconventional power distribution architecture, the conventionalarchitecture suffers from several disadvantages. With few exceptions,unregulated energy sources are incompatible with parallel connection toa common bus. One problem of the conventional approach is that thearchitecture requires power regulators to interface incompatible sourcesto the bus. If such unregulated sources such as batteries are connectedto the common bus, the unregulated source with the highest voltage willback-feed other sources thereby generating circulating currents. Themagnitude of these currents depends on the voltage difference betweenthe various sources and the total resistance of the current path.Because the source and bus resistances are low, the circulating currentswill degrade system efficiency and may even damage components andwiring.

Another problem associated with this power system architecture is itssusceptibility to single point failures. If the common bus, the load, orthe output of a single voltage regulator is shorted, the whole systemcan be disabled. Still another problem associated with conventionalpower system architectures is the systems inability to control the powerflow. Because there is only one bus that connects all loads and allpower sources, this architecture does not allow delivering power to asection of the load from selected sources. The conventional architecturelacks flexibility, i.e., failed elements or bus segments cannot beisolated and disconnected from the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An intelligent power system is presented. The system includes one ormore common power sources and one or more subsystem componentsinterconnected with the common power sources. Each common power sourceincludes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a sensor, a controller anda plurality of switches operated by the controller. A subsystemcomponent includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a power*rsource, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated bythe controller. With such a configuration, the system is able detect andisolate failed segments of the power system and is reconfigurable torestore power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional power system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the power architecture of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a common source element of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a subsystem element of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a single unregulated source embodiment ofthe present architecture;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a three-regulator embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a time-shared embodiment of the presentarchitecture;

FIG. 7B is a timing diagram of the time-shared embodiment of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an arrangement wherein threesubsystems are operating from a single regulator in the time-sharedmode;

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram showing the time-shared mode of operation;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing output voltage versus output current for aregulator of the present power system;

FIG. 11A is a block diagram showing an arrangement wherein twosubsystems are operating from a single power source;

FIG. 11B is a timing diagram showing power delivery for the arrangementof FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a block diagram showing another arrangement wherein twosubsystems are operating from a single power source;

FIG. 12B is a timing diagram showing power delivery for the arrangementof FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a block diagram showing an arrangement having multiplefaults; and

FIG. 13B is a timing diagram showing power delivery for the arrangementof FIG. 13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new power system architecture thatresolves the problems associated with conventional power systems andfurther provides important advantages not available with conventionalpower system architectures. Autonomous power systems have to satisfyconflicting requirements such as high density, low weight and volume,energy storage, continuous and reliable operation with partial damage,fault isolation and self-generating and restoring capabilities.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art power system architecture 1 isshown. This architecture 1 uses individual voltage regulators 10 a-10Nto couple multiple power sources 20 a-20N to a common regulated bus 30.The regulated bus 30 is used to provide power to one or more loads 40a-40N. The regulators can be realized as voltage source regulators 10a-10N to couple voltage sources 20 a-20N to the regulated bus 30, andalso as storage regulators 50 a-50N to couple storage sources 60 a-60Nto the regulated bus 30.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a high-level block diagram of the presentlydisclosed power system 100 is presented. This architecture comprises acommon power source and m*n interconnected subsystems 120. The number ofconnections between subsystems 120 and the common power source 110 mayvary from zero (a self-sufficient system) to m*n (a source-dependentsystem). Each line between a subsystem 120 and the common power source110 represents multiple power and signal connections. The number ofinterconnections between subsystems may vary from zero (a completelyindependent system) to m*n−1 (a fully connected system). Each linebetween subsystems 120 in FIG. 2 represents multiple power and signalconnections between the subsystems 120. Another version of thisarchitecture includes multiple subsystems wired together and connectedto the common power source as groups.

A block diagram of the common power source 110 is shown in FIG. 3. Thecommon power source 110 includes an unregulated voltage bus 112, aregulated voltage bus 114, Po power sources 116, Ro regulators 118, Sobus stabilizers 111, Eo energy storage units 113, sensors 115 and acontroller 117. A power source 110 may be realized as a battery, agenerator, a fuel cell, a solar cell or the like. A stabilizer 111 issimilar to a regulator in that a stabilizer is a power conversion devicewherein one voltage level is converted to another voltage level. Anenergy storage device 113 may be realized as a battery, flywheel,capacitor, inductor or similar type device. All elements of the commonpower source except the controller 117 and sensors 115 are connected toone or both buses through controlled switches 119. The switches 119 maybe electronic solid state, vacuum tube, or electromechanical devices.The output of each regulator 118 is connected to regulated buses of allsubsystems as well as the regulated bus 114 of the common source. As analternative, the common regulated bus 114 may be connected to one ormore regulated buses of individual subsystems. Thesubsystem-to-subsystem control signals interconnect may be the sameinterconnect (electrical (wire-based), optical, infrared, RF, etc.) usedfor interconnecting a subsystem controller to a power source controller,although other embodiments may use a different interconnect for thesubsystem-to-subsystem control signals interconnect than thesubsystem-to-power source control signals interconnect.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a block diagram of a subsystem 120 (subsystem1,1 of FIG. 2 in this example) is shown. The subsystem includes aregulated voltage bus 122, an unregulated voltage bus 123, PR regulatedpower sources 127 (only one shown in FIG. 4), R regulators 126 (only oneshown in FIG. 4), S bus stabilizers 129, E energy storage units 128(only one shown in FIG. 4), D loads 121, sensors 124 and a subsystemcontroller 125. All subsystem elements except the controller 125 andsensors 124 are connected to one or both buses through controlledswitches 130. Each regulated power source 127 is connected to regulatedbuses of all other subsystems as well as to the internal regulated bus122.

The presently disclosed architecture provides several advantages notavailable from conventional power systems. A system comprisingincompatible sources can operate without regulators. One way ofachieving this is to activate only a single power source at any momentin time. Another method is to break connections between subsystems thatcontain power sources using controlled switches and operate all sourcessimultaneously (completely independent system). The presently disclosedarchitecture can also use switches to operate power sources in asequential way or switching between the two modes described above. Thus,the new approach applies to systems that contain both regulated andunregulated buses.

Because the system comprises self-sufficient interconnected subsystemsas well as the common power source, the presently disclosed power systemis not susceptible to single point failures.

Each subsystem or element of the new system is connected to all otherelements and to the common energy source and storage. Controllers candirect power flow from one subsystem to another subsystem, from thecentral source to any number of subsystems, and from any number ofsubsystems to storage elements. This control is accomplished by acontroller opening and/or closing the appropriate switches to providethe desired configuration. Each controller is in communication with arespective sensor and further each controller is in communication witheach other controller.

In the event of a failure, the controllers, by way of the sensors, willdetect failed elements or bus segments. The controllers then isolate thefailed element or bus segment and re-configure the distribution torestore power by activating and/or deactivating the appropriateswitches. Constant monitoring of the power flow through bus segmentsallows the controller to determine their condition and identifyfailures. For any waveforms of voltage V(t) and current I(t), theinstantaneous power at the output of the power source or at the load fedby a bus segment is expressed as follows:P=1/T∫V(t)I(t)dt for the integration time interval from 0 to T

This expression can be simplified for specific waveforms. For example,in the case of sinusoidal voltage and current the power is:P_(SINE)=V_(RMS)I_(RMS)

One way to identify failed elements or bus segments is to compare thepower supplied by a source with the power consumed by a load and voltageat the source with voltage at the load. For example, if a systemconsists of one source and multiple loads the power balance for losslessdistribution is expressed as follows:P_(SOURCE)=Σ(P_(LOAD1)+P_(LOAD2)+. . . +P_(LOADG)), summing from 1 to G

Where

P_(SOURCE) is power at the source

P_(LOAD1) through P_(LOADG) is power at the load

Assuming that the loads are not regenerative, power at the source alwaysequals to the total power consumed by the loads. If the bus segmentfeeding one load failed, the power balance equation would not hold. Toeliminate the possibility that the load itself failed, the controllerwould measure the voltage at the load terminals. If the load voltageequals to the source voltage and the load does not draw its share ofpower, then the load has failed. If the load voltage does not equal tothe source voltage (for lossless distribution) and the load does notdraw its rated power, then the bus segment has failed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an application involving an unregulated system200 is shown. The system comprises two subsystems 120 a and 120 b, and acommon power source 110. All power sources in this system areunregulated and are therefore incompatible with parallel operation. Forthe mode of operation shown in FIG. 5, the common power source 110 andsource in the subsystem 2 are disconnected and both loads operate fromthe single power source located in the subsystem 1.

The reliability of the new architecture is based upon the power transferbetween components through the interconnect. Because power flows throughmultiple conductors and the system contains multiple sources, thefailure of any single element (or possibly multiple elements) does notdisrupt operation of the power system.

Conductor 1 provides power from subsystem 120 a to energy storage unit113 of the common power source 110. Additionally, conductors 2 and 3provide power from subsystem 120 a to energy storage unit 113 of thecommon power source 110. Conductors 3 and 4 also provide power fromsubsystem 120 a to subsystem 120 b unregulated bus 123, load 121 b andenergy storage device 128. Conductors 1, 2 and 6 also provide power fromsubsystem 120 a to subsystem 120 b unregulated bus 123, load 121 b andenergy storage device 128.

The power source 210 is disconnected from the common bus of Common PowerSource 110 by opening switch 211. Similarly, the power source 116 b ofsubsystem 120 b is also disconnected from the unregulated bus by openingswitch 212 and is further disconnected from the unregulated bus ofsubsystem 120 a by the opening of switch 213. In order to permit powersource 116 a of subsystem 120 a to provide power to load 121 a ofsubsystem 120 a and also to load 121 b of subsystem 120 b switches214-218 of subsystem 120 a are closed as are switches 219, 219 a and 220of subsystem 120 b. Power from power source 116 a flows from subsystem120 a to common power source 110 through conductor 1 of the systeminterconnect. Power from power source 116 a also flows from subsystem210 a to subsystem 120 b through conductor 3, 4 and 6 of the systeminterconnect. Power also flows from power source 116 a through commonpower source 110 and to subsystem 120 b through conductor 2 of thesystem interconnect. With such an arrangement power source 116 a is ableto provide power to load 121 a and also to load 121 b.

Other modes of operation supported by the present power systemarchitecture include a self-sufficient mode of operation wherein bothsubsystems are disconnected from each other and the common source, amode wherein operation is from the common power source, a node whereinoperation is from the power source in the second subsystem, and atime-shared mode of operation wherein some or all of the power sourcesare turned on sequentially.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a power system 300 comprising a common powersource 110 feeding two subsystems 120 a and 120 b is shown. Subsystem120 a includes one main regulator 310 and one redundant regulator 320with each regulator capable of providing full power for either subsystem120 a or 120 b. FIG. 6 illustrates one mode of operation when regulator330 of subsystem 120 b has failed and regulator 320 in subsystem 120 acontinuously provides power to the subsystem 120 b.

Switches 340 and 341 of common power source 110 are closed, switches 333and 334 of subsystem 120 a are open while switches 335 through 339 ofsubsystem 120 a are closed. In subsystem 120 b, switches 331 and 332 areopen while switches 342, 443 and 334 are closed. With this arrangementpower from power source 210 of common power source 110 is provided toregulator 310 and regulator 320 of subsystem 120 a. The regulators thenprovide regulated power to the load 121 a of subsystem 120 a and to theload 121 b of subsystem 120 b.

This example demonstrates the ability of the present power systemarchitecture to reduce the total number of regulators to three andmaintain redundancy for both subsystems. A conventional solution callsfor connecting buses 1 and 2 in parallel, but if the voltage V1 (bus 1)is different from the voltage 2 (bus 2) this approach will not befeasible. In this case, the buses have to be separate and redundantoperation of subsystem 2 will require an additional regulator (fourtotal).

FIG. 7A shows the same system as FIG. 6, but operating under a differentset of conditions. This system is labeled 300′. In this example, two ofthe regulators are out of service (regulators 310 and 330 have failed,while regulator 320 remains operational). As shown in FIG. 7A, the powersystem overcomes these failures by operating on a time-shared basis. Asshown in the timing diagram of FIG. 7B, regulator 320 feeds thesubsystem 120 a for time interval T1 and feeds subsystem 120 b for timeinterval T2. This mode does not have to be periodic and controllers canmodify both time intervals as required. Similarly to the previous case,if the input voltage for the two subsystems is different, the subsystem120 a controller can vary the output of regulator 330 to satisfy eachsubsystem's requirements.

In the system 300′ switches 340 and 341 of the common power source areclosed. In subsystem 102 a switches 333, 336 and 338 are opened, switch339 is closed and switches 334, 335 and 337 are cycled between the openand closed positions. In subsystem 120 b, switches 331, 332 and 342 areopened while switches 343 and 344 are cycled. As shown in FIG. 7B, poweris delivered to subsystem 120 a for a predetermined period of time, thento subsystem 120 b for a predetermined period of time, and there is nooverlap between the power delivery to the two subsystems. Switches 337and 344 are closed and switches 334, 335 and 343 are opened to providepower to load 121 a of subsystem 120 a. Switches 337 and 344 are openedand switches 334, 335 and 343 are closed to provide power to load 121 bof subsystem 120 b. These switches 334, 335, 337, 343 and 344 are cycledin order to provide power on a time-shared basis to subsystem 120 a andsubsystem 120 b.

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a method of using energy storage devicesto feed pulsed loads. FIG. 8 shows a configuration 500 including threesubsystems 120 a, 120 b and 120 c that operate from a single regulator510 while three other regulators 520, 530, and 540 are out of service.Also, as shown in graph 600 of FIG. 9, loads for subsystems 120 a and120 b draw pulsed power that exceeds the rated power of the regulator510. Even under these demanding conditions, the present power systemarchitecture provides power on a time-shared basis to all loads if thefollowing conditions are met:

Time intervals when one regulator is connected to a given subsystem donot overlap,T≧ΣT_(a) for the summation from a=1 to a=3

Where T_(a) is the time interval when a subsystem is connected to theregulator and T is the repeatable time interval.

The average power P_(reg) delivered by the regulator does not exceed thetotal average power consumed by all loads or, for a lossless system:P _(reg)≧(1/T)*∫(Σ(P _(a)(t))dtfor the interval of integration from t=0 to t=T and the summation froma=1 to a=3

Where P_(a)(t) is the load power for a given subsystem load, a is theload number.

The system 500 operates as follows. Because load 511 of subsystem 120 arequires more power than regulator 510 can deliver, the energy storage512 provides the rest of the power. When the load 511 is turned off, theregulator 510 recharges the energy storage 512 during the remainder ofthe time interval T1.

When load 513 of subsystem 120 b is turned on, the regulator is stillconnected to the subsystem 120 a. Consequently, the energy storage unit514 is feeding the subsystem 120 b until the beginning of time intervalT2. At this time, regulator 510 of subsystem 120 a starts deliveringpower to load 513 and recharging the energy storage 514 of the subsystem120 b.

Subsystem 120 c operates in a similar way. The only difference is thatsubsystem 120 c has a constant load thereby its power demand neverexceeds the rated power of the regulator 510. During time intervals T1and T2 the energy storage unit 516 of subsystem 120 c provides power toload 515. When regulator 510 is connected to subsystem 120 c, it startsrecharging the energy storage unit 516 and feeding load 515.

Similar to the previous described configurations, the pulsed load modedoes not have to be periodic and controllers can modify all timeintervals as needed as long as the conditions listed above aresatisfied. Also, if the input voltage needed by subsystems is different,the subsystem controller can vary the output of the regulator to satisfyeach system's requirements.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a graph 700 showing the different modes ofoperation of the regulator is shown. The graph 700 shows a first mode ofoperation referred to as the voltage mode 710. As can be seen in thevoltage mode of operation the voltage is nearly constant regardless ofthe output current. Output voltage versus current (VA) characteristic ofthe regulators also has constant power mode 720. In this mode thevoltage varies directly opposite the current resulting in constant powerover a range of voltages and currents. Additionally, the regulators havea constant current mode 730. In this mode the regulator provides aconstant current value over a range of voltages. A foldback mode 740 isalso shown. In foldback mode the regulator decrease the output currentwith increasing overload, reaching a minimum at short circuit. Thisminimizes internal power dissipation under overload conditions.

Referring now to FIG. 11A, a system 800 is shown in a configurationwherein two subsystems 120 a and 120 b operate from a common powersource. An additional unregulated power source 810 is incorporated inthe subsystem 120 a. If the rated power of unregulated power source 810is sufficient to feed only one subsystem, time-sharing will allowoperating both subsystems 120 a and 120 b in the event of a failure ofthe common power source.

Switch 801 of common power source 110 is closed, switch 813 is open andswitches 802 and 803 are cycled. In subsystem 120 a switches 805, 806and 808 are closed while switches 807 and 804 are cycled. In subsystem120 b, switch 812 is closed while switches 809 and 811 are cycled. Withthis arrangement power from power source 810 of subsystem 120 a isprovided to regulator 820 at one time interval through switch 807.Further, power is delivered from power source 810 of subsystem 120 a toregulator 830 of subsystem 120 b via switch 804 during a second timeinterval.

As shown in FIG. 11B, during time interval T1 the power source 810delivers power to the subsystem 120 a through the regulator 820 whilethe regulator 830 is disconnected from the system. As the time intervalT2 begins, the regulator 820 is turned off and power starts flowing frompower system 810 to the subsystem 120 b through the regulator 830. Thisexample shows a case when either load does not exceed the rated power ofthe source. If this condition is not satisfied, energy sources can beused to average peak power demands of the loads as described above withrespect to FIGS. 8-10.

FIG. 12A shows a system 900 in a configuration wherein two subsystems120 a and 120 b are fed by a common power source 110. Unlike the systemshown in FIG. 11A, the power source 910 in this system generatesregulated voltage and does not have a connection to the second subsystem120 b. Again, if the common source 920 fails, the power source 910 canfeed both subsystems 120 a and 120 b on a time-shared basis.

Switch 901 of common power source 110 is closed, and switch 902 is open.Switch 904 of subsystem 120 a is closed while switches 903 and 905 arecycled. In subsystem 120 b, switch 908 is closed and switches 906 and907 are cycled. With this arrangement power from power source 910 ofsubsystem 120 a is provided to the load of subsystem 120 a throughswitch 903 during a first time interval and power is delivered tosubsystem 120 b through switch 905 during a second time interval.

As shown in FIG. 12B, during the time interval T1, power source 910delivers power directly to the subsystem 120 a bypassing the regulator930 that is disconnected via switch 905 from the regulated bus 940 ofsubsystem 120 a. During the time interval T2, the regulator 930 isconnected to regulated bus 940 via switch 905 and converts its voltageV1 to the input voltage for the regulator 950 that feeds the secondsubsystem 120 b. This mode of operation is particularly useful when onecommon source powers several subsystems that have different regulatedbus voltages. To enable this mode of operation, the regulator 930 isbidirectional i.e. it is able to send power from the input to the outputand vice versa. If either subsystem needs pulsed power, energy sourcescan be used to average peak power loads as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 13A, an embodiment 1000 which demonstrates how thenew architecture improves reliability and maintains operation in thepresence of multiple faults is presented. In this example, a secondfailure disabled the regulator 1010, so neither power source 1020 norregulator 1010 are in service. Under these conditions, the regulatedpower source 1030 feeds both subsystems 120 a and 120 b on a time-sharedbasis while the regulator 1040 is turned off via switch 1007.

Switches 1001 and 1002 of common power source 110 are open. Switch 1006of subsystem 120 a is closed, switch 1007 is open and switches 1003-1005are cycled. In subsystem 120 b, switch 1009 is open and switch 1008 iscycled. With this arrangement power from power source 1030 of subsystem120 a is provided to the load 121 a of subsystem 120 a via switches 1003and 1005 during a first time interval and power is delivered tosubsystem 120 b via switch 1004 during a second time interval.

As shown in FIG. 13B, during the time interval T1, the power source 1030delivers power to the subsystem 120 a. During the time interval T2,power source 1030 is switched from bus 1050 with voltage V1 to the bus1060 with voltage V2. To enable this mode of operation, the source'soutput has to be programmable and its range shall include voltage V2.This example shows a case when either load does not exceed the ratedpower of the power source 1030. If this condition is not met, energysources can be used to average peak power loads as described above withrespect to FIGS. 8-10.

An intelligent power system has been described. The power systemincludes one or more common power sources and one or more subsystemcomponents interconnected with the common power sources. With such aconfiguration, the system is able detect and isolate failed segments ofthe power system and is reconfigurable to restore power.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention it will nowbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that otherembodiments incorporating these concepts may be used. Additionally, thesoftware included as part of the invention may be embodied in a computerprogram product that includes a computer useable medium. For example,such a computer usable medium can include a readable memory device, suchas a hard drive device, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a computer diskette,having computer readable program code segments stored thereon. Thecomputer readable medium can also include a communications link, eitheroptical, wired, or wireless, having program code segments carriedthereon as digital or analog signals. Accordingly, it is submitted thatthat the invention should not be limited to the described embodimentsbut rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of theappended claims. All publications and references cited herein areexpressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

1. A power system common power source subsystem comprising: a powersource unregulated bus; a plurality of power source regulated buses,each respective power source regulated bus originating at a common powersource and terminating at a respective one of k load subsystems, eachrespective power source regulated bus directly coupling only the commonpower source and the respective one of the k load subsystems withoutcoupling to any other of the k load subsystems; for each respective oneof the k load subsystems, a plurality of direct independent electricalinterconnections between the respective one of the k load subsystems andeach other one of the k load subsystems, each direct independentelectrical interconnection comprising one or more conductors, whereineach direct independent electrical interconnection originates at therespective one of the k load subsystems and terminates at one other ofthe k load subsystems without coupling to any other of the k loadsubsystems, such that there is no more than a single direct independentelectrical interconnection between any two of the k load subsystems andsuch that the total number of the plurality of direct independentelectrical interconnections between all of the k load subsystemscomprises no more than k*[(k−1)/2] direct, independent electricalinterconnections; at least one power source, each of said at least onepower source having an output; a first group of at least one switch,each of said first group of at least one switch coupling a respectiveone of said at least one power source output to said power sourceunregulated bus; at least one regulator, each of said at least oneregulator having an input and an output; a second group of at least oneswitch, each of said second group of at least one switch coupling arespective input of said at least one regulator to said power sourceunregulated bus; and a third group of at least one switch, each of saidthird group of at least one switch coupling a respective one of said atleast one regulator output to said power source regulated bus; acontroller having a plurality of outputs, at least one of said pluralityof outputs coupled to at least one of said first group of at least oneswitch, at least one of said plurality of outputs coupled to at leastone of said second group of at least one switch, and at least one ofsaid plurality of outputs coupled to at least one of said third group ofat least one switch; and at least one sensor, each of said at least onesensor having an output coupled to said controller.
 2. The power systemcommon power source subsystem of claim 1 further comprising: at leastone stabilizer, each of said at least one stabilizer having an inputcoupled to a respective power source, and having an output; and a fourthgroup of at least one switch, each of said fourth group of at least oneswitch coupling a respective stabilizer output to said power sourceunregulated bus.
 3. The power system common power source subsystem ofclaim 2 further comprising at least one energy storage element, each ofsaid at least one energy storage element having an output coupled to arespective one of said at least one regulator.
 4. The power systemcommon power source subsystem of claim 3 wherein said energy storageelement is selected from the group consisting of a battery, a flywheel,a capacitor, and an inductor.
 5. The power system common power sourcesubsystem of claim 1 wherein said power source is selected from thegroup consisting of a battery, a generator, a fuel cell and a solarcell.
 6. The power system common power source subsystem of claim 1wherein said stabilizer comprises a device wherein a first voltage levelis converted to a second voltage level.
 7. The power system common powersource subsystem of claim 1, wherein the controller provides atime-shared mode of operation to provide power sequentially to one ormore of the plurality of subsystems.
 8. A power system subsystemcomponent comprising: a subsystem unregulated bus; a plurality ofsubsystem regulated buses, each respective subsystem regulated busoriginating at a common power source and terminating at a respective oneof k load subsystems, each respective power source regulated busdirectly coupling only the common power source and the respective loadsubsystem without coupling to any of the other load subsystems; for eachrespective one of the k load subsystems, a plurality of directindependent electrical interconnections between the respective one ofthe k load subsystems and each other one of the k load subsystems, eachdirect independent electrical interconnection comprising one or moreconductors, wherein each direct independent electrical interconnectionoriginates at the respective one of the k load subsystems and terminatesat one other of the k load subsystems without coupling to any other ofthe k load subsystems, such that there is no more than a single directindependent electrical interconnection between any two of the k loadsubsystems and such that the total number of the plurality of direct,independent electrical interconnections between all of the k loadsubsystems comprises no more than k*[(k−1)/2] direct, independentelectrical interconnections at least one power source having an output;a first group of at least one switch, each of said first group of atleast one switch coupling said power source output to said subsystemregulated bus; a controller having a plurality of outputs, at least oneof said plurality of outputs coupled to at east one of said first groupof at least one switch; and at least one sensor, each of said at leastone sensor having an output coupled to said controller.
 9. The powersystem subsystem component of claim 8 further comprising: at least oneregulator, each of said at least one regulator having an input coupledto said subsystem unregulated bus, and an output; and a second group ofat least one switch, each of said second group of at least one switchcoupling a respective output of said at least one regulator to saidsubsystem regulated bus and wherein said second group of at least oneswitch is controlled by said controller.
 10. The power system subsystemcomponent of claim 8 further comprising: at least one stabilizer, eachof said at least one stabilizer having an input coupled to saidsubsystem unregulated bus, and having an output; and a third group of atleast one switch, each of said second group of at least one switchcoupling a respective stabilizer output to said subsystem regulated busand wherein said third group of at least one switch is controlled bysaid controller.
 11. The power system subsystem component of claim 8further comprising: at least one energy storage element, each of said atleast one energy storage element having an output; and a fourth group ofat least one switch, each of said fourth group of at least one switchcoupling a respective output of said at least one energy storage elementto said subsystem regulated bus and wherein said fourth group of atleast one switch is controlled by said controller.
 12. The power systemsubsystem component of claim 11 wherein said energy storage element isselected from the group consisting of a battery, a flywheel, acapacitor, and an inductor.
 13. The power system subsystem component ofclaim 8 further comprising: at least one load; and a fifth group of atleast one switch, each of said fifth group of at least one switchcoupling a respective load to said subsystem regulated bus and whereinsaid fifth group of at least one switch is controlled by saidcontroller.
 14. The power system subsystem component of claim 8 whereinsaid power source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, agenerator, a fuel cell and a solar cell.
 15. The power system subsystemcomponent of claim 8 wherein said stabilizer comprises a device whereina first voltage level is converted to a second voltage level.
 16. Thepower system subsystem component of claim 8, wherein the controllerprovides a time-shared mode of operation to provide power sequentiallyto one or more of the plurality of subsystems.
 17. A power systemcomprising: a common power source component; at least two or more powersystem subsystem components the two or more power system subsystemcomponents comprising k power system subsystem components; and aplurality of direct, independent electrical interconnects to connectsaid common power source component individually to each one of the kpower system subsystem components, each respective direct, independentelectrical interconnect originating at the common power source componentand terminating at a respective one of the k power subsystem componentswithout electrically coupling to any of the other k power systemsubsystem components or to any other electrical element, wherein thedirect independent electrical interconnect comprises one or moreconductors.
 18. The power system of claim 17 wherein at least one of thedirect independent electrical interconnects comprises a powerinterconnect and wherein at least one of the direct independentinterconnects comprises a control signal interconnect.
 19. The powersystem of claim 18 wherein said control signal interconnect comprises aninterconnect selected from the group consisting of electrical, opticalinfrared and wireless.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein said commonpower source component comprises: a power source unregulated bus; aplurality of power source regulated buses, each respective power sourceregulated bus originating at a common power source and terminating at arespective one of k load subsystems, each respective power sourceregulated bus directly coupling only the common power source and therespective load subsystem without coupling to any of the other loadsubsystems; for each respective one of the k load subsystems, aplurality of direct independent electrical interconnections between therespective one of the k load subsystems and each other one of the k loadsubsystems, each direct independent electrical interconnectioncomprising one or more conductors, wherein each direct independentelectrical interconnection originates at the respective one of the kload subsystems and terminates at one other of the k load subsystemswithout coupling to any other of the k load subsystems, such that thereis no more than a single direct independent electrical interconnectionbetween any two of the k load subsystems and, such that total number ofthe plurality of direct, independent electrical interconnections betweenall of the k load subsystems comprises no more than k*[(k−1)/2] direct,independent electrical interconnections; at least one power source, eachof said at least one power source having an output; a first group of atleast one switch, each of said first group of at least one switchcoupling a respective one of said at least one power source output tosaid power source unregulated bus; at least one regulator, each of saidat least one regulator having an input and an output; a second group ofat least one switch, each of said second group of at least one switchcoupling a respective input of said at least one regulator to said powersource unregulated bus; and a third group of at least one switch, eachof said third group of at least one switch coupling a respective one ofsaid at least one regulator output to said power source regulated bus; acontroller having a plurality of outputs, at least one of said pluralityof outputs coupled to at least one of said first group of at least oneswitch, at least one of said plurality of outputs coupled to at leastone of said second group of at least one switch, and at least one ofsaid plurality of outputs coupled to at least one of said third group ofat least one switch; and at least one sensor, each of said at least onesensor having an output coupled to said controller.
 21. The system ofclaim 20 wherein said power system common power source subsystem furthercomprises: at least one stabilizer, each of said at least one stabilizerhaving an input coupled to a respective power source, and having anoutput; and a fourth group of at least one switch, each of said fourthgroup of at least one switch coupling a respective stabilizer output tosaid power source unregulated bus.
 22. The system of claim 20 whereinsaid power system common power source subsystem further comprises atleast one energy storage element, each of said at least one energystorage element having an output coupled to a respective one of said atleast one regulator.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein said energystorage element is selected from the group consisting of a battery, aflywheel, a capacitor, and an inductor.
 24. The system of claim 20wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of abattery, a generator, a fuel cell and a solar cell.
 25. The system ofclaim 20 wherein said stabilizer comprises a device wherein a firstvoltage level is converted to a second voltage level.
 26. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the controller of the common power source componentprovides a time-shared mode of operation to provide power sequentiallyto one or more of the plurality of subsystem components.
 27. The systemof claim 19 wherein said power system subsystem component comprises: asubsystem unregulated bus; a plurality of subsystem regulated buses,each respective subsystem regulated bus originating at a common powersource and terminating at a respective one of k load subsystems, eachrespective power source regulated bus directly coupling only the commonpower source and the respective one of the k load subsystems withoutcoupling to any other of the k load subsystems; for each respective oneof the k load subsystems, a plurality of direct independent electricalinterconnections between the respective one of the k load subsystems andeach other one of the k load subsystems, each direct independentinterconnection comprising one or more conductors, wherein each directindependent electrical interconnection originates at the respective oneof the k load subsystems and terminates at one other of the k loadsubsystems without coupling to any other of the k load subsystems, suchthat there is no more than a single direct independent electricalinterconnection between any two of the k load subsystems, and such thatthe total number of the plurality of direct, independent electricalinterconnections between all of the k load subsystems comprises no morethan k*[(k−1)/2] interconnections; a power source having an output; afirst group of at least one switch, each of said first group of at leastone switch coupling said power source output to said subsystem regulatedbus; a controller having a plurality of outputs, at least one of saidplurality of outputs coupled to at least one of said first group of atleast one switch; and at least one sensor, each of said at least onesensor having an output coupled to said controller.
 28. The system ofclaim 27 wherein said power system subsystem component furthercomprises: at least one regulator, each of said at least one regulatorhaving an input coupled to said subsystem unregulated bus, and anoutput; and a second group of at least one switch, each of said secondgroup of at least one switch coupling a respective output of said atleast one regulator to said subsystem regulated bus and wherein saidsecond group of at least one switch is controlled by said controller.29. The power system subsystem component of claim 27 further comprising:at least one stabilizer, each of said at least one stabilizer having aninput coupled to said subsystem unregulated bus, and having an output;and a third group of at least one switch, each of said third group of atleast one switch coupling a respective stabilizer output to saidsubsystem regulated bus and wherein said third group of at least oneswitch is controlled by said controller.
 30. The power system subsystemcomponent of claim 27 further comprising: at least one energy storageelement, each of said at least one energy storage element having anoutput; and a fourth group of at least one switch, each of said fourthgroup of at least one switch coupling a respective output of said atleast one energy storage element to said subsystem regulated bus andwherein said fourth group of at least one switch is controlled by saidcontroller.
 31. The power system subsystem component of claim 30 whereinsaid energy storage element is selected from the group consisting of abattery, a flywheel, a capacitor, and an inductor.
 32. The power systemsubsystem component of claim 7 further comprising: at least one load;and a fifth group of at least one switch, each of said fifth group of atleast one switch coupling a respective load to said subsystem regulatedbus and wherein said fifth group of at least one switch is controlled bysaid controller.
 33. The power system subsystem component of claim 27wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of abattery, a generator, a fuel cell and a solar cell.
 34. The power systemsubsystem component of claim 27 wherein said stabilizer comprises adevice wherein a first voltage level is converted to a second voltagelevel.
 35. The system of claim 27, wherein the controller of the powersystem subsystem component provides a time-shared mode of operation toprovide power sequentially to one or more of the plurality of subsystemcomponents.
 36. The power system of claim 17 wherein said power systemsupplies power in at least one mode, said at least one mode selectedfrom the group consisting of a single power mode wherein a single powersource supplies power for said power system, a simultaneous power modewherein a first power source provides power to a first power sourcesubsystem component and wherein a second power source provides power toa second power source subsystem component, and a sequential mode whereina first power source provides power for said power system for a firsttime interval and a second power source provides power for said powersystem for a second time interval.
 37. A power system comprising: atleast one common power source; k power subsystem components, eachrespective one of the k power subsystem components having acorresponding direct, independent first electrical interconnection thatoriginates at the common power source component and terminates at therespective one of the k power subsystem components without coupling toany other of the k load subsystems; for each respective one of the kpower subsystem components, a plurality of direct independent secondelectrical interconnections between the respective one of the k powersubsystem components and each other one of the k power subsystemcomponents, each direct independent second electrical interconnectioncomprising one or more conductors, wherein each of the plurality ofdirect independent second electrical interconnections originates at therespective one of the k power subsystem components and terminates at oneother of the k power subsystem components without coupling to any otherof the k power subsystem components, such that there is no more than asingle direct independent electrical interconnection between any two ofthe k power subsystem components, and, such that the total number of theplurality of direct, independent second electrical interconnectionscomprises no more than k*[(k−1)/2] direct, independent second electricalinterconnections; wherein each direct independent first electricalinterconnection further comprises a connection to a plurality ofsubsystem regulated buses and a connection to a subsystem unregulatedbus; and wherein each direct independent second electricalinterconnection further comprises a connection to at least one of theplurality of subsystem regulated buses and a connection to the subsystemunregulated bus.